A heavyset character actor, he gained fame for playing the part of Lieutenant Snyder in 1973's The Sting. His other movies include Dog Day Afternoon (1975), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), for which he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, Tootsie (1982), Mass Appeal (1984), and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). He also appeared on television in the series Evening Shade (1990–94).